-He places 1 or more stones on the obelisk and/or takes 1 or more grave tiles (and places stone(s) onthe empty spaces left by the tiles he took).- He turns over the used crew(s) and reduces the number of stones on his tableau by those he used.

Emphasis of mine added. I always thought that those referred to stones, but I'm starting to think it might actually intend to the strength of the crew.

In other words, if I build 2 spots in the Obelisk (or Pyramid) that are 4 and 5 and I place two bricks on them, do I reduce my stone supply by 2 or 9?

Yeah, I think the rules could have done a better job distinguishing the physical stone "markers" from the stones on your production track. However, the example at the top of page 7 leaves little doubt how building in this area is handled.

That makes sense. I kept wondering why stone quarries were less and less interesting as the game went along. And although thematically it might make sense (you need more labor to put blocks higher up) it makes a lot more sense from a game mechanics point of view to need as much stone as the strength of your crew.

Thanks everyone. I'll have to play this one again soon with the "new" rules :-b

I think what the rules are alluding to here is that you *can* 'over pay' your working crew, but it doesn't mean you overpay with stone. That is, take the example that you wanted to build the 4 and 5 spot on the obelisk. The only way to get enough crew was to use your 'level 7' white worker, and your 'level 4' blue worker. You'll have used up 11 worth of labor, but you only need to pay 9 stone, by moving your accumulated stone counter down 9.